VIETNAMESEEFLSTUDENTS’PERCEPTIONS ANDPRACTICESOFUSINGCHATGPTFORLEARNINGENGLISH SPEAKINGSKILLS

Abstract

This study explores the perceptions and practices of Vietnamese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in using ChatGPT, an AI-powered tool developed by OpenAI, to improve their English speaking skills. Grounded theory is employed as the research methodology to generate new insights and develop a conceptual framework based on the students’ experiences and practices with ChatGPT. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with students from a university in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The findings show that most Vietnamese EFL students had positive views about using ChatGPT to improve their English speaking skills. They found it helpful for organizing ideas, learning new vocabulary, and getting grammar feedback, which made them feel more confident when speaking. Additionally, four main factors affected how students used and viewed ChatGPT were found including: (1) their English level, those with better English skills used it more effectively; (2)technology limits, so many noted the lack of pronunciation support as a drawback; (3) community influence- recommendations from friends and teachers encouraged students to try the tool; and (4) convenience - being able to use ChatGPT any time and any where helped students practice more regularly.